Method of joining support for electronic device to vulcanized tire

Abstract

A support (8; 8 ') for an electronic device (7) is provided. 36) to a vulcanized tyre (1). The support (8; 36) is provided with at least one at least partially raw rubber part (9) having a connection surface (S). The method comprises the following steps: placing the support (8; 36) is applied to one wall of the tyre (1), thereby fixing the support (8; 36) being placed in direct contact with the wall of the tyre (1); and in such a way that the support (8; 36) is applied to the wall of the tyre (1), the support (8; 36) has a temperature that is higher than the temperature at which the tyre (1) is vulcanized. 36) of the heat exchanger.

Description

[0001] manual Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for joining a support for an electronic device, in particular a transponder, to a vulcanized tire. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, so-called "smart" pneumatic tires have emerged which can form an important part of modern vehicles, providing information about the type of pneumatic tire installed, information about the condition of the pneumatic tire and information about ambient conditions.

[0004] "Smart" tires are typically equipped with a transponder (i.e., an electronic device with memory suitable for communicating at radio frequencies) that permits remote communication of the tire's identity, characteristics, and history (i.e., both to the vehicle on which it is mounted and to the operator who must perform the inspection or replacement of the tire, or to an external monitoring system such as an access control system).

[0005] More recently, it has also been proposed to integrate RFID (“Radio Frequency Identification”) transponder technology with the presence of transponders or sensors operating using TPMS (“Tire Pressure Monitoring System”) technology, which allows the sensor to measure the inflation pressure and / or the effective internal temperature and then store such measurements in the transponder for subsequent remote transmission to a recipient. Even more recently, tires have been equipped internally with sensors or TPMS (“Tire Pressure Monitoring System”) transponders that allow reading, processing, receiving and transmitting characteristics regarding the state of the tire, such as acceleration, speed, load, wear, road surface adhesion, etc.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to attach the electronic device (transponder or sensor) to the tire, and to achieve this attachment, it is usually necessary to use a rubber support (housing) that is configured such as to house (or receive, or only partially contain) the electronic device therein and to adhere it to the tire in a stable and secure manner. According to one possible embodiment, the electronic device can be attached to the support in advance (i.e., the attachment between the electronic device and the support is achieved before the support is inserted into the tire), or the electronic device can be attached to the support only after it has been inserted into the tire.

[0007] To incorporate the support for the electronic device into the tire, the transponder may be attached to the inner surface of the tire (typically above the inner liner that ensures the airtightness of the tire), or the support may be integrated into a component comprising the tire structure (i.e., the support is arranged between the various layers comprising the tire). Attaching the support to the inner surface of the tire does not in any way alter the structure of the tire in the presence of foreign matter, thereby ensuring that the tire can provide the expected performance. The support for the electronic device may be attached to the inner surface of the tire while it is still green (i.e., before it is vulcanized) or after it has already been vulcanized.

[0008] During vulcanization, a lubricant layer is typically applied that facilitates the detachment of the tire from the vulcanization mold at the end of the vulcanization process; specifically, the lubricant is interposed between the inner surface of the tire and the inner membrane (expansion bladder) of the vulcanization mold. Consequently, at the end of the vulcanization process, the inner surface of the vulcanized tire has a lubricant layer that must be locally removed (e.g., by using a laser beam for cleaning, or by using a special solvent, or by partial abrasion of the surface, or other available methods and techniques) in the area where the support is applied (otherwise the support may not be able to adhere to the tire surface with sufficient force). Therefore, attaching the support to the inner surface of the tire when the tire is already vulcanized typically requires additional processing (cleaning the area where the support is applied), which increases production time and cost. Alternatively, the inner membrane (expansion bladder) of the mold may be composed of specific materials, preferably silicone, that facilitate the detachment of the tire without the use of any additional lubricant (insulating material); however, such inner membranes are relatively uncommon at the current state of the art.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to ensure adequate adhesion of the support to the surface of the vulcanized tire, it is necessary to use an adhesive (glue) that is sufficiently strong and compatible with the rubber compound comprising the inner liner of the tire and which does not in any way compromise the integrity of the inner liner of the tire; this adhesive constitutes an additional cost both economically and environmentally.

[0010] Therefore, to reduce production lead times and costs, it is preferred to attach the support for the electronic device to the inner surface of the tire while the tire is still green (i.e., before the tire is vulcanized). However, it has been observed that the high pressures and temperatures reached during the vulcanization process can cause parts of the electronic device (previously bonded to the support) to appear on the outside of their support (a phenomenon known as "surfacing"), often leading to malfunction (if not complete failure) of the electronic device. Furthermore, the high pressures and temperatures reached during the vulcanization process can cause the support or parts of the electronic device (previously bonded to the support) to come into contact with the carcass cords, often causing malfunction (if not complete failure) of the electronic device, and, as a further consequence, can adversely interfere with the operation of the carcass cords. Finally, the high pressures and temperatures reached during the vulcanization process can cause irregularities in the innerliner (particularly at the edges of the support), which can, in the long term, lead to cracks in the innerliner, thereby impairing air retention within the tire and resulting in pressure loss.

[0011] In cases where the support is initially empty (i.e., initially contains no electronic device to be subsequently inserted into the support), it has further been observed that in order to maintain the desired shape and elasticity of the support, such as in order to ensure a trouble-free subsequent insertion of the electronic device into the support, a complex and expensive production process is required.

[0012] Patent application WO2021126199A1 describes the insertion of an electronic sensor, previously bonded to a rubber support, inside the tire during its vulcanization in a vulcanization mold.

[0013] Patent application WO2011040921A1 describes an electronic patch comprising a vulcanized rubber support on which an electronic device is mounted; the electronic patch is attached to the wall of a vulcanized tire by means of an interposed adhesive raw rubber layer applied to the inner wall of the electronic patch and initially covered by a removable protective film.

[0014] Patent application EP3168068A1 describes the application of an electronic patch (comprising a vulcanized rubber support on which an electronic device is mounted) to the inner wall of a vulcanized tire by means of an interposed adhesive layer.

[0015] Patent application WO2017105842A1 describes an assembly for mounting an electronics package to a tire; the electronics package attachment patch is permanently attached to the inner liner of the tire by means of an adhesive or by means of a cold polymerization process. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for joining a support for an electronic device to a vulcanized tire, which method makes it possible to avoid damage to the tire, to the support and to the electronic device and which, at the same time, is easy and economical to implement, taking into account reduced energy consumption, and is therefore more sustainable.

[0017] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for joining a support for an electronic device to a vulcanized tyre, as set out in the accompanying claims.

[0018] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention, which form an integral part of the present description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, and in which:

[0020] ● Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tire provided with an electronic device;

[0021] ● Figure 2 and Figure 3 are inserted into the rubber support Figure 1 A perspective view and an exploded perspective view of an electronic device;

[0022] ● Figure 4 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 Schematic diagram showing the fabrication Figure 1 Some processing stations in tire production plants;

[0023] ● Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a gripper used in a production plant;

[0024] ● Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a tool used at an application station in a production plant;

[0025] ● Figure 9 and Figure 10 are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of different embodiments of a rubber support suitable for accommodating an electronic device; and

[0026] ● Figure 11 is a graph showing the experimentally obtained variations in the adhesion of a support coupled to a transponder to the wall of a vulcanized tire as the surface temperature of the wall varies. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] exist Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes as a whole a tire 1 comprising an annular carcass 2 that is partially folded onto itself and thus has two lateral flaps (i.e., two layers superimposed on one another and collectively referred to as "turn-ups"). Two annular beads 3 are provided at opposite sides of the carcass 2, wherein each of the two annular beads is surrounded by the carcass 2. The carcass 2 supports an annular tread 4 by the interposition of a tread belt 5 and a pair of sidewalls that join the beads 3 to the tread 4. Arranged in the carcass 2 is an airtight inner liner 6 that constitutes an inner liner and has the function of retaining air in the tire 1 so as to maintain the inflation pressure of the same tire 1 over time.

[0028] The tire 1 is provided with a transponder 7 (such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), the transponder is inserted into a support 8 and arranged in contact with the wall of the tire 1; i.e., the support 8 is adapted (conformable) to receive and retain the transponder 7. As will be better explained below, the transponder 7 may be bonded to the support 8 before the support 8 is applied to the tire 1, or it may be bonded to the support 8 after the support 8 has been applied to the tire 1. Figure 1 As shown, the transponder 7 inserted into the support 8 can be arranged indifferently inside the tire 1 (i.e. in contact with the inner liner 6) or on the outside of the tire 1 (i.e. from the side opposite to the inner liner 6), and can be arranged indifferently at the sidewall (on the inside or outside of the tire 1) or at the tread 4 (only on the inside of the tire 1).

[0029] The transponder 7 is an electronic device (usually passive or semi-passive, i.e. without its own power supply) capable of storing information and communicating by means of radio frequencies. In other words, the transponder 7 is a "smart tag" of small size, adapted to respond to remote polling on part of a specific fixed or portable device, called a reader (or polling device); the reader is able to read and / or modify the information contained in the transponder 7 being polled, while communicating with the transponder 7 itself by radio frequencies. The transponder 7 is therefore part of a wireless reading and / or writing system operating according to the so-called RFID technology ("Radio Frequency Identification").

[0030] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the transponder 7 is inserted into a support 8 composed of two parts 9 and 10 stacked and pressed against each other: an inner part 9, which (as better described below) will be placed in direct contact with one wall of the tire 1; and an outer part 10, which (as better described below) will be placed on the opposite side relative to the wall of the tire 1. Generally speaking, the two parts 9 and 10 of the support 8 are longer and wider than the transponder 7. Generally speaking, both parts 9 and 10 are made of rubber and composed of exactly the same type of rubber compound; alternatively, both parts 9 and 10 can be made of rubber and composed of two different types of rubber compounds. According to various embodiments, only the inner part 9 (i.e., in direct contact with the wall of the tire 1) is made of rubber (at least partially raw, as better explained below), while the outer part 10 (i.e., placed on the opposite side relative to the wall of the tire 1) is made of a material other than rubber (plastic).

[0031] According to an alternative embodiment, the support 8 may consist solely of the part 9 (ie the outer part 10 may not be present).

[0032] Each component 9 or 10 of the support member 8 may have a single-layer structure (i.e., it may consist of a single type of material forming a single uniform layer), or it may have a multi-layer structure (i.e., it may consist of two or more superimposed materials forming two or more layers).

[0033] The inner part 9 of the support 8 has a connection surface S facing the wall of the tire 1 (i.e. it will be in direct contact with the wall of the tire 1) and is therefore arranged on the opposite side of the transponder 7. In other words, the inner part 9 of the support 8 has a connection surface S and a surface opposite to the connection surface S, which will be in direct contact with the wall of the tire 1 and is arranged on the opposite side of the transponder 7, and the transponder 7 is supported on this surface.

[0034] According to an alternative embodiment, the transponder 7 is supported on the connection surface S itself, which will be in direct contact with one wall of the tire 1. In this embodiment, the transponder 7 is found interposed between the connection surface S and therefore the component 9 and the wall of the tire 1.

[0035] according to Figure 4 As shown, a support 8 containing a transponder 7 is applied to one wall of the vulcanized tire 1 (in particular to the wall formed by Figure 4 The support 8 containing the transponder 7 is applied to one wall of the vulcanized tire 1 after the tire 1 has been removed from the vulcanization mold and its building cycle has therefore been terminated.

[0036] At least the part 9 of the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is preheated before being applied to the wall of the tire 1 in such a way that, at the moment of application of the support 8 to the wall of the tire 1, the connection surface S of the part 9 of the support 8 has a temperature greater than the temperature of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 (substantially the ambient temperature, as better described below).

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, at the moment of application of the support 8 to the wall of the tire 1, the connecting surface S of the support 8 has a temperature of about 100° C. In particular, at the moment of application of the support 8 to the wall of the tire 1, the connecting surface S of the support 8 has a temperature between 90° C. and 110° C. and preferably equal to about 100° C. More generally, at the moment of application of the support 8 to the wall of the tire 1, the connecting surface S of the support 8 has a temperature greater than 80° C. to 90° C. and lower than 120° C. to 110° C.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, heating the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 (obviously before applying the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1) provides for obtaining (achieving) a more or less complete vulcanization of the support 8 or at least of the portion 9 of the support 8. To this end, immediately before applying the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1, the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is heated so as to maintain it at an elevated temperature (for example between 90° C. and 110° C., preferably equal to about 100° C.) for a relatively long period of time, for example between 15 minutes and 25 minutes and preferably equal to 20 minutes. During the heating of the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7, the support 8 is subjected only to the heating and not to any mechanical pressure.

[0039] Applying the support 8, which is coupled to the transponder 7, to the wall of the tire 1 provides for pushing the support 8 against the wall of the tire 1 so as to subject the support 8 to a continuous mechanical pressure. Specifically, after the support 8, which is coupled to the transponder 7, has been applied to the wall of the tire 1, a mechanical pressure is applied to the support 8, which pushes the support 8 against the wall of the tire 1, and is maintained. According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanical pressure applied to the support 8 is between 5 and 15 bars, and preferably equal to 10 bars, and is maintained for a period of time between 10 and 30 minutes, preferably equal to 20 minutes.

[0040] according to Figure 5In the embodiment shown, mechanical pressure is applied to the support 8 coupled to the transponder 7 by means of a ratchet clamp 11 provided with a jaw 12 resting against the support 8 and an external jaw 13 resting against the tire 1 from the opposite side of the support 8. According to one possible embodiment, the jaw 12 is heated by means of a heating device configured, for example, to heat the support 8 applied to the wall of the tire; the heater may maintain the support 8 at the initial application temperature (for example 100° C.), or it may maintain the support 8 at a temperature lower than the initial application temperature (for example 70° C. to 80° C.).

[0041] At the moment of being applied to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1, the heat inside the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7, combined with the mechanical pressure applied to the support 8, makes it possible to successfully complete the vulcanization of the rubber present inside the support 8, with the result that the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 adheres optimally to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1, also without the interposition (use) of any adhesive or glue.

[0042] The support 8, and in particular the inner part 9 of the support 8, consists at least partially of raw rubber which undergoes vulcanization as a result of the preheating of the support 8 before it is applied to the wall of the tire 1 and as a result of the continuous mechanical pressure applied to the support 8 after it has been applied to the wall of the tire 1. As previously stated, at least the inner part 9 of the support 8 consists at least partially of raw rubber or of rubber whose vulcanization process has not yet begun or, in any case, been completed; in other words, the inner part 9 has at least a portion of raw rubber constituting the connecting surface S (that is, the surface in direct contact with the wall of the tire 1). In particular, at least the rubber constituting the connecting surface S of the inner part 9 (and therefore in direct contact with the wall of the tyre 1) has a lower degree of vulcanisation than the rubber of the (possible) outer part 10 which is not in direct contact with the wall of the tyre 1; for example, the rubber of the inner part 9 is completely green and the rubber of the (possible) outer part 10 is partially vulcanised, or the rubbers of the two parts 9 and 10 are partially vulcanised but have different degrees of vulcanisation (higher for the outer part 10 and lower for the inner part 9).

[0043] Preferably, but not necessarily, the inner component 9 is composed of completely green rubber (i.e., rubber that has never been vulcanized in any way, not even partially vulcanized rubber) or of only partially vulcanized rubber (i.e., rubber in which vulcanization has begun but not yet been completed, i.e., neither completely green nor fully vulcanized rubber). Preferably, but not necessarily, the outer component 10 (if present) is composed of only partially vulcanized rubber (i.e., rubber in which vulcanization has begun but not yet been completed, i.e., neither completely green nor fully vulcanized rubber) or of fully vulcanized rubber.

[0044] The connection surface S of the inner part 9 which is in direct contact with the lining 6 must ensure adhesion to the lining 6 and must therefore be less vulcanized (and therefore have a greater adhesion capacity), whereas the outer part 10 covering the transponder 7 (if present) must guarantee protection of the transponder and must therefore be able to have a higher degree of vulcanization (and therefore be harder and more resistant, but at the expense of adhesion capacity).

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is applied to one wall of the vulcanized tire 1 when the vulcanized tire 1 is found to be substantially at ambient temperature (the ambient temperature of a tire production plant or at a facility for changing and fitting tires, where operators work permanently, and therefore at a temperature generally between 15° C. and 30° C.). That is, the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is applied to one wall of the vulcanized tire 1 when the surface temperature of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 is below 40° C. Specifically, the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is applied to one wall of the tire 1 when the surface temperature of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 is between 0° C. and 30° C. and preferably between 5° C. and 25° C.

[0046] Experimental tests were carried out during which a support 8 (already bonded to a transponder 7 or not bonded thereto) preheated to about 100°C was applied to a wall of a vulcanized tyre 1, which was found to be at various temperatures, in intervals of 5°C, between a minimum of 5°C and a maximum of 25°C; the results of these experimental tests are given in Figure 11 , where the x-axis represents the surface temperature T of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 and the y-axis represents the adhesion force F of the component 9 of the support 8 to the tire 1. That is, Figure 11 is a graph showing the experimentally obtained variation in the adhesion force F of the support 8 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 as the surface temperature of the wall varies. During all experimental tests (i.e., the surface temperature of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 was between 5°C and 25°C), the adhesion force F of the component 9 of the support 8 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 remained fairly constant and always remained greater than the optimal value (i.e., a value sufficient to ensure complete and continuous adhesion of the support 8). Therefore, even if the surface temperature of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 was slightly below 5°C (e.g., equal to 0°C) or slightly above 25°C (e.g., equal to 30°C to 35°C), the adhesion force of the support 8 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 was likely to be sufficient.

[0047] In this regard, it has been observed that the adhesion forces generated between the support 8 (with or without the transponder 7) and the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 are surprisingly higher when the vulcanized tire 1 is "cold" (i.e., at ambient temperature) than when the vulcanized tire 1 is "hot" (e.g., when it has just been removed from the vulcanization mold) (all conditions being equal). A possible motivation for this is related to the fact that when the rubber constituting the vulcanized tire 1 is hot, there is the presence of oils that (interposed between the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 and the support 8) hinder the adhesion of the support 8; these oils that are present when the vulcanized tire 1 is hot are reabsorbed into the rubber constituting the vulcanized tire 1 as the vulcanized tire 1 cools, and the vulcanized tire 1 is therefore substantially more conducive to promoting the adhesion of the support 8 at ambient temperature.

[0048] according to Figure 4 As shown, an applicator device 14 applies a support 8 containing a transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1. The applicator device 14 is moved by a robot arm 15 (or by a similar handling device), i.e., the applicator device 14 is mounted at one end of the robot arm 15. Preferably, the applicator device 14 comprises a frame 16 that is rigidly constrained to the robot arm 15 and supports both an application head 17 configured to pick up the support 8 and transfer it to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1, and a camera 18 that captures the space in front of the application head 17 and serves to guide the movement of the robot arm 15.

[0049] according to Figure 4 In a preferred embodiment shown, when the support 8 coupled to the transponder 7 is applied to the wall of the tire 1 , the reaction element 19 is placed against the side of the wall of the tire 1 opposite to the side to which the support 8 is applied. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, a reaction element 19 is provided in the application station S1. The reaction element 19 is moved by an actuator device 20, is arranged on the outside of the tire 1, and is located at the applicator device 14. Specifically, when the support 8 containing the transponder 7 is applied to the wall of the tire 1, the reaction element 19 is arranged to abut the tire 1 on the side opposite to that to which the support 8 containing the transponder 7 is applied. In this way, the applicator device 14 can forcefully press the support 8 containing the transponder 7 against the wall of the tire 1 without causing undesirable deformation of the tire 1, as long as the thrust applied by the applicator device 14 is sufficiently resisted by the reaction element 19. Specifically, when the applicator device 14 applies the support 8 containing the transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 from the opposite side, the actuator device 20 presses the reaction element 19 (with a certain predetermined force) against the outside of the vulcanized tire 1. Depending on the positioning of the transponder 7 , the counteracting element 19 can be pressed against the tread 4 of the tire 1 or against the sidewalls (sides) of the tire 1 (inside or outside).

[0050] According to one possible embodiment, one surface of the counteracting element 19 in contact with the outside of the vulcanized tire 1 carries a (small) relief pattern 21 (inscription and / or logo) indicating the presence and position of the transponder 7; preferably, the relief pattern 21 is heated to better emboss the relief pattern 21 onto the outside (tread 4 or sidewall) of the vulcanized tire 1. The function of the relief pattern 21 embossed on the outside (tread 4 or sidewall) of the vulcanized tire 1 is to indicate the presence and position of the transponder 7 from the outside.

[0051] according to Figure 6 In one possible embodiment shown, a protective label 22 is applied to the wall of the green tire 1 in the area where the support 8 coupled to the transponder 7 is to be applied; the protective label 22 is then removed from the wall of the cured tire 1 after removal from the curing mold and before the support 8 coupled to the transponder 7 is applied. The function of the protective label 22 is to protect (isolate) the area of the wall of the tire 1 where the support 8 coupled to the transponder 7 is to be applied, in such a way that such area remains free of lubricants (for example silicone-based) used during curing and facilitating the release of the cured tire 1 from the curing mold; indeed, any residual lubricant that may be present between the wall of the cured tire 1 and the support 8 coupled to the transponder 7 would impair the proper adhesion of the support 8 to the wall of the tire 1. The lubricant can be applied to the inner membrane (expansion bladder) of the curing mold or to the inner surface of the green tire 1 using a lubrication station.

[0052] Obviously, the protective label 22 is used only when the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is to be applied to the inner surface of the vulcanized tire 1, as long as the lubricant is present only on the inner surface of the vulcanized tire 1 during vulcanization. Conversely, when the support 8 bonded to the transponder 7 is to be applied to the outer surface (at the sidewall) of the vulcanized tire 1, the protective label 22 is not required.

[0053] Different embodiments are also provided which do not provide for the use of protective labels 22, provided that no lubricant is applied before vulcanization, provided that the formulation of the lubricant does not prevent the correct adhesion of the support 8 to the wall of the tire 1, or provided that the area of the wall of the tire 1 to which the support 8 is to be applied is pre-cleaned before applying the support 8 in order to eliminate residual lubricant.

[0054] Preferably, the protective label 22 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (also known commercially as Mylar). Furthermore, the protective label 22 is preferably larger than the support 8 containing the transponder 7, so that its larger size can "compensate" for positioning tolerances (i.e. errors) (both in the positioning of the protective label 22 and in the positioning of the support 8 containing the transponder 7).

[0055] according to Figure 6As shown, in a station S2 arranged upstream of the vulcanization station (and obviously also upstream of a possible lubrication station, in which lubricant is sprayed on the entire inner surface of the green tire 1), an applicator device 23 (similar to the applicator device 14) is moved by a robot arm 24 (or by a similar handling device) in order to apply a protective label 22 to one wall of the green tire 1. Preferably, the applicator device 23 comprises a frame 25 rigidly constrained to the robot arm 24 and supporting both an application head 26 configured to pick up the protective label 22 and transfer it to the wall of the green tire 1, and a camera 27 that captures the space in front of the application head 26 and serves to guide the movement of the robot arm 24.

[0056] At the end of the vulcanization process, the vulcanized tire 1 is removed from the vulcanization mold and allowed to cool (for several hours or days) until it finally reaches substantially ambient temperature. Figure 7 As shown, and in application station S1 , the protective label 22 is initially removed from the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 by means of a removal device 28 in order to expose the lower portion of the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 completely free of lubricant (obviously only if the protective label 22 has previously been applied thereto).

[0057] The removal device 28 is moved by a robot arm 29 (or by a similar handling device), i.e., it is mounted at one end of the robot arm 29. Preferably, the removal device 28 comprises a frame 30 rigidly constrained to the robot arm 29 and supporting both a pick-up head 31 configured to remove the protective label 22 from the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 and a camera 32 that captures the space in front of the pick-up head 31 and serves to guide the movement of the robot arm 29.

[0058] According to one possible embodiment, within the application station S1 there are two different robot arms 15 and 29 which respectively move the applicator device 14 and the removal device 28. Alternatively, there may be a single robot arm 15 or 29 which alternately moves the applicator device 14 and the removal device 28, i.e. the single robot arm 15 or 29 first moves the removal device 28 to remove the protective label 22 from the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 and immediately thereafter exchanges the removal device 28 with the applicator device 14 (i.e. releases the removal device 28 and then withdraws the applicator device 14) in order to apply the support 8 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1.

[0059] according to Figure 8In the further embodiment illustrated, the applicator device 14 for applying the support 8 containing the transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 and the removal device 28 for removing the protective label 22 from the wall of the vulcanized tire 1 are supported together (simultaneously) by the same robot arm 15 or 29; in particular, the applicator device 14 and the removal device 28 are mounted on the robot arm 15 by means of a rotatable support element 33, which rotates about an axis of rotation 34 in order to alternately position the applicator device 14 or the removal device 28 toward the wall of the vulcanized tire 1. In this embodiment, a single camera 35 can be provided, which does not rotate (i.e., is not connected to the support element 33), is common to both devices 14 and 28, and thus replaces cameras 18 and 32.

[0060] As previously stated and according to a different embodiment, before the green tyre 1 is inserted into the vulcanisation mould, it is possible to spray a lubricant on the inner surface of the green tyre 1 or on the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanisation mould, which lubricant does not hinder the adhesion of the support 8 containing the transponder 7 to the inner liner 6; in this embodiment, the presence of the protective label 22 (and therefore the applicator device 23 and the removal device 28) is no longer necessary, as long as the lubricant does not hinder the adhesion of the support 8 containing the transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanised tyre 1.

[0061] As previously stated and according to a further embodiment, no lubricant is applied to the inner surface of the green tire 1 or to the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanization mold, since the latter has a low-adhesion surface that does not require the presence of a lubricant; obviously, in the absence of a lubricant, the presence of the protective label 22 (and therefore the applicator device 23 and the removal device 28) is no longer necessary.

[0062] As previously described and according to a further embodiment, the protective label 22 is not applied and the removal device 28 is replaced by a cleaning device which cleans (for example by means of a laser) the area of the wall of the vulcanized tyre 1 to which the support 8 containing the transponder 7 is to be applied.

[0063] exist Figures 1 to 8 In the embodiment shown, the support 8 is pre-bonded to the respective transponder 7 (i.e. to the respective electronic device) in such a way that the support 8 already containing the respective transponder 7 is bonded to the tyre 1 (using the bonding method described above); Figures 1 to 8 In the embodiment shown, the support 8 surrounds the respective transponder 7 (ie the respective electronic device) on all sides, thereby providing greater protection for the respective transponder 7 . Figure 9 and Figure 10, instead provides a support 36 provided centrally with a seat 37, generally conformable to a cup, to house and retain a corresponding transponder 7 (i.e. a corresponding electronic device); in this embodiment, the support 36 is joined to the tyre 1 (using the joining method described above) without the corresponding transponder 7 (i.e. a corresponding electronic device), the corresponding transponder being inserted into the seat 37 of the support 36 only subsequently (i.e. only after the support 36 has been joined to the tyre 1). The support 36 may comprise a single part (corresponding to part 9 of the support 8), or it may consist of several parts joined together.

[0064] In summary, the support 8 or 36 is used for an electronic device 7 (i.e., it is suitable / formed for accommodating and retaining the electronic device 7) and is joined to the tire 1 so that the electronic device 7 can be integrated into the tire 1; as previously stated, the transponder 7 can be bonded to the support 8 or 36 before the support 8 or 36 is applied to the tire 1, or it can be bonded to the support 8 or 36 after the support 8 or 36 has been applied to the support of the tire 1.

[0065] The method described above has many advantages.

[0066] Firstly, the method described above is particularly simple and inexpensive to implement, since it requires the execution of a small number of operations that are easily automated, and since it requires minimal energy consumption (the total mass of the support 8 containing the transponder 7 is very small, and therefore the heating of the support 8 containing the transponder 7 at approximately 100° C. requires almost negligible thermal energy, when compared, for example, to the thermal energy required for the vulcanization of the tire 1). Therefore, the method described above is considered sustainable and environmentally friendly in the production of smart tires.

[0067] The method described above allows damage to the tyre 1 and the transponder 7 to be prevented.

[0068] The method described above does not require the use of any adhesive to attach the support 8 containing the transponder 7 to the wall of the vulcanized tire 1, as long as the adhesion established between the two rubber layers subjected to pressure at a certain temperature is used to adhere the support 8 to the inner liner 6; in this way, both costs and environmental impact are reduced.

[0069] Finally, the method described above ensures that the transponder 7 adheres to the tyre 1 strongly and durably enough, avoiding the risk that the transponder 7 could detach itself, even partially, from the tyre 1 .

[0070] List of reference numbers in the accompanying drawings

[0071] 1 pneumatic tire

[0072] 2 carcass

[0073] 3 Bead

[0074] 4 tread

[0075] 5 Tread belt

[0076] 6 Lining

[0077] 7 Transponder

[0078] 8 sleeve

[0079] 9 strips

[0080] 10 strips

[0081] 11. Clamp

[0082] 12 internal grippers

[0083] 13 External jaws

[0084] 14 Applicator device

[0085] 15 Robotic Arm

[0086] 16 Frame

[0087] 17 Application head

[0088] 18 Camera

[0089] 19 Reaction element

[0090] 20 Actuator device

[0091] 21 relief pattern

[0092] 22 Protection Label

[0093] 23 Applicator device

[0094] 24 Robotic Arm

[0095] 25 Frame

[0096] 26 Application head

[0097] 27 Camera

[0098] 28 Remove device

[0099] 29 Robotic Arm

[0100] 30 frames

[0101] 31 Remove Head

[0102] 32 Camera

[0103] 33 Support elements

[0104] 34 Rotation axis

[0105] 35 Camera

[0106] 36 Support

[0107] 37 seats

[0108] S Connecting Surface

[0109] S1 application station

[0110] S2 application station

Claims

1. A method for joining a support (8; 36) for an electronic device (7) to a vulcanized tire (1); the support (8; 36) being provided with at least one partially raw rubber component (9) having a connection surface (S); the method comprising the following steps: applying the support (8; 36) to one wall of the vulcanized tire (1) so as to place the connecting surface (S) of the support (8; 36) in direct contact with the wall of the tire (1); The method is characterized in that it comprises the further step of preheating the support (8; 36) before applying it to the wall of the tire (1) in such a way that, at the moment of applying it to the wall of the tire (1), the connecting surface (S) of the support (8; 36) has a temperature higher than the temperature of the vulcanized tire (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein at the moment of applying the support (8; 36) to the wall of the tire (1), the connecting surface (S) of the support (8; 36) has a temperature greater than 80°C and preferably greater than 90°C.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at the moment of applying the support (8; 36) to the wall of the tire (1), the connecting surface (S) of the support (8; 36) has a temperature between 90° C. and 110° C. and preferably equal to 100° C.

4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at the moment of applying the support (8; 36) to the wall of the tyre (1), the connecting surface (S) of the support (8; 36) has a temperature of about 100°C.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support ( 8 ; The step of preheating the support (8; 36) achieves partial vulcanization of the support (8; 36).

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support ( 8 ; 36) The step of preheating achieves that the support (8; 36) is subjected to heating and that the support is not subjected to any mechanical pressure.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support ( 8 ; 36) The step of preheating achieves maintaining said support (8; 36) at a temperature between 90°C and 110°C and preferably equal to about 100°C for a period of time between 15 minutes and 25 minutes and preferably equal to 20 minutes.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the support (8; The step of applying the support (8; 36) to the wall of the vulcanized tyre (1) achieves pressing the support (8; 36) against the wall so as to subject the support (8; 36) to continuous mechanical pressure.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, and comprising the further step of applying a mechanical pressure to the support (8; 36) and maintaining the mechanical pressure, which pushes the support (8; 36) against the wall of the tire (1), after applying the support (8; 36) to the wall of the tire (1).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical pressure applied to the support (8; 36) is between 5 and 15 bars and is preferably equal to 10 bars.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the mechanical pressure applied to the support (8; 36) is maintained for a time interval comprised between 10 and 30 minutes and preferably equal to 20 minutes.

12. Method according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the mechanical pressure is applied by means of a clamp (11), preferably a ratchet, provided with a toothed member resting against the support (8; 36) and a second outer jaw (13) arranged against the tire (1) on the opposite side of the support (8; 36).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the first jaw (12) is heated by means of a heating device configured to heat the support (8; 36) applied to the wall of the tyre (1).

14. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the support (8; 36) is applied to the wall of the tyre (1) when the tyre (1) is at ambient temperature.

15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the support (8; 36) is applied to the wall of the tyre (1) when the surface temperature of the tyre (1) is less than 40°C.

16. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the support (8; 36) is applied to the wall of the tyre (1) when the surface temperature of the tyre (1) is between 0°C and 30°C and preferably between 5°C and 25°C.

17. Method according to one of claims 1 to 16, and comprising the further step of: when the support (8; 36) is applied to the wall of the tire (1), a reaction element (19) is applied to the wall of the tire (1) opposite to the side to which the support (8; 36) is applied.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the surface of the reaction element (19) in contact with the wall of the tyre (1) carries a relief pattern (21) indicating the presence and position of the electronic device (7).

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the relief pattern (21) of the reaction element (19) is heated.

20. The method according to one of claims 1 to 19, and comprising the following further steps: applying a protective label (22) to the wall of the green tire (1) at the area where the support (8; 36) is to be applied; and Before applying the support (8; 36), the protective label (22) is removed from the wall of the vulcanized tyre (1).

21. Method according to one of claims 1 to 19, and comprising the further step of pre-cleaning the wall of the tyre (1) at the zone where the support (8; 36) is to be applied.

22. Method according to one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the support (8) consists of an inner part (9) and an outer part (10), which enclose the electronic device (7) between them.

23. Method according to claim 22, wherein said inner part (9) arranged in direct contact with said wall of said tyre (1) and having said connecting surface (S) consists at least partially of raw rubber.

24. Method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the inner part (9) arranged in direct contact with the wall of the tire (1) and having the connecting surface (S) consists of a rubber with a lower degree of vulcanization than the rubber constituting the outer part (10).

25. The method according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the support (8; 36) and the wall of the vulcanized tire (1) without the interposition of adhesive or glue.

26. Method according to one of claims 1 to 25, and comprising the further step of pre-bonding the electronic device (7) to the support (8) before applying the support (8) to the wall of the vulcanized tyre (1).

27. Method according to one of claims 1 to 25, and comprising the further step of bonding the electronic device (7) to the support (36) only after the support (36) has been applied to the vulcanized tyre (1).

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